U.S. patent application number 11/888748 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for tightly integrated serial hybrid printing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Xerox Corporation. Invention is credited to Mark S. Amico, James J. Spence.
Application Number | 20090035039 11/888748 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40338288 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090035039 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spence; James J. ; et
al. |
February 5, 2009 |
Tightly integrated serial hybrid printing system
Abstract
An electrophotographic printing machine comprising at least one
print engine, an input media path delivering a print media to the
print engine, an output media path removing the print media from
the print engine, and a media handling transport disposed in at
least one of the media paths. The media handling transport includes
first and second device halves. Each of the device halves includes
first, second and third body members, with the first end portion of
the second body member disposed adjacent the first end portion of
the first body member, the first end portion of the third body
member disposed adjacent the second end portion of the first body
member, and the second end portion of the third body member
disposed adjacent the second end portion of the second body member.
An inner body member defines a first media transport passageway
with the second body member define, a second media transport
passageway with the third body member, and a third media transport
passageway with the first body member. The second end portions of
the second and third body members define an abutting end of the
device half, with the abutting end of the first device half
disposed adjacent the abutting end of the second device half in an
installed transport.
Inventors: |
Spence; James J.; (Honeoye
Falls, NY) ; Amico; Mark S.; (Pittsford, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALIX, YALE & RISTAS, LLP
750 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1400
HARTFORD
CT
06103-2721
US
|
Assignee: |
Xerox Corporation
|
Family ID: |
40338288 |
Appl. No.: |
11/888748 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
399/381 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G 15/6529 20130101;
G03G 2215/0043 20130101; G03G 2215/00586 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
399/381 |
International
Class: |
G03G 15/00 20060101
G03G015/00 |
Claims
1. An electrophotographic printing machine comprising: at least one
print engine; an input media path delivering a print media to the
print engine; an output media path removing the print media from
the print engine; and a media handling transport disposed in at
least one of the media paths, the media handling transport
comprising first and second device halves, each of the device
halves including a first body member extending from a first end
portion to a second end portion; a second body member extending
from a first end portion to a second end portion, the first end
portion of the second body member being disposed adjacent the first
end portion of the first body member; a third outer body member
extending from a first end portion to a second end portion, the
first end portion of the third body member being disposed adjacent
the second end portion of the first body member and the second end
portion of the third body member being disposed adjacent the second
end portion of the second body member; and an inner body member
disposed intermediate the first, second and third outer body
members, the inner body member and the second body member defining
a first media transport passageway, the inner body member and the
third body member defining a second media transport passageway, and
the inner body member and the first body member defining a third
media transport passageway; wherein the second end portions of the
second and third body members defining an abutting end of the
device half, the abutting end of the first device half being
disposed adjacent the abutting end of the second device half.
2. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 1 wherein the
first, second and third body members each have an inner surface
extending from the first end portion to the second end portion,
each of the inner surfaces defining a guide having a substantially
smooth uniform surface.
3. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 2 wherein the
inner surfaces of the second and third body members each have an
arcuate shape to change a direction of travel of a sheet of media
substantially ninety degrees.
4. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 3 wherein the
inner surface of the first body member has a substantially planar
shape to maintain the direction of travel of a sheet of media.
5. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 2 wherein the
inner body member has a first guide surface extending from a lower
end portion to a first upper end portion, a second guide surface
extending from the lower end portion to a second upper end portion,
and a third guide surface extending from the first upper end
portion to the second upper end portion, the first, second and
third guide surfaces being disposed opposite to the inner surfaces
of the first, second and third body members, respectively and
defining the first, second and third media transport passageways
therebetween.
6. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 5 wherein the
first, second and third guide surfaces each have a substantially
smooth uniform surface.
7. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 5 wherein each
device half further includes: a first feed mechanism associated
with the first end portion of the first body member and the first
end portion of the second body member; and a second feed mechanism
associated with the second end portion of the first body member and
the first end portion of the third body member.
8. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 7 wherein each
device half further includes: a first drive mechanism associated
with the lower end portion of the inner body member and the inner
surface of the second body member; and a second drive mechanism
associated with the lower end portion of the inner body member and
the inner surface of the third body member.
9. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 8 wherein each
device half further includes a third drive mechanism associated
with the inner surface of the first body member and the first guide
surface of the inner body member.
10. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 9 wherein
each device half further includes: a first diverter extending from
a first end portion pivotally mounted proximate to the inner body
member lower end portion to a free end disposed adjacent the
abutting end of the device half; a second diverter extending from a
first end portion pivotally mounted proximate to the inner body
member first upper end portion to a free end disposed proximate to
the first feed mechanism; and a third diverter extending from a
first end portion pivotally mounted proximate to the inner body
member second upper end portion to a free end disposed proximate to
the second feed mechanism; wherein the free end portion of each of
the diverters is selectively movable between a first diverter
position or a second diverter position by a positioning device.
11. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 10 further
comprising a controller in communication with the feed mechanisms,
the drive mechanisms and the diverters.
12. The electrophotographic printing machine of claim 11 further
comprising: a first baffle disposed adjacent the first feed
mechanisms; and a second baffle disposed adjacent the second feed
mechanism.
13. An electrophotographic printing machine comprising: at least
one print engine; an input media path delivering a print media to
the print engine; an output media path removing the print media
from the print engine; and a media handling transport disposed in
at least one of the media paths, the media handling transport
including an upper body member having an inner surface extending
from a first end portion to a second end portion; a lower body
member having an inner surface extending from a first end portion
to a second end portion; a first side body member having an inner
surface extending from a upper end portion to a lower end portion,
the upper end portion of the first side body member being disposed
adjacent the first end portion of the upper body member and the
lower end portion of the first side body member being disposed
adjacent the first end portion of the lower body member; a second
side body member having an inner surface extending from a upper end
portion to a lower end portion, the upper end portion of the second
side body member being disposed adjacent the second end portion of
the upper body member and the lower end portion of the second side
body member being disposed adjacent the second end portion of the
lower body member; a first inner body member having a first guide
surface extending from a lower end portion to a first upper end
portion, a second guide surface extending from the lower end
portion to a second upper end portion, and a third guide surface
extending from the first upper end portion to the second upper end
portion, the first guide surface and the first side body member
inner surface defining a first media transport passageway segment,
the second guide surface and the second side body member inner
surface defining a second media transport passageway segment, and
the third guide surface and the upper body member inner surface
defining a first media transport passageway; a second inner body
member having a first guide surface extending from an upper end
portion to a first lower end portion, a second guide surface
extending from the upper end portion to a second lower end portion,
and a third guide surface extending from the first lower end
portion to the second lower end portion, the first guide surface
and the first side body member inner surface defining a third media
transport passageway segment, the second guide surface and the
second side body member inner surface defining a fourth media
transport passageway segment, and the third guide surface and the
lower body member inner surface defining a second media transport
passageway; a first diverter extending downwardly from a first end
portion pivotally mounted proximate to the first inner body member
lower end portion to a free end; a second diverter extending
upwardly from a first end portion pivotally mounted proximate to
the second inner body member upper end portion to a free end;
wherein the free end portions of the first and second diverters are
independently selectively movable between a first diverter position
or a second diverter position whereby a sheet of media may be
directed from the first media transport passageway segment to the
third media transport passageway segment, from the first media
transport passageway segment to the fourth media transport
passageway segment, from the third media transport passageway
segment to the first media transport passageway segment, from the
third media transport passageway segment to the second media
transport passageway segment, from the second media transport
passageway segment to the third media transport passageway segment,
from the second media transport passageway segment to the fourth
media transport passageway segment, from the fourth media transport
passageway segment to the first media transport passageway segment,
or from the fourth media transport passageway segment to the second
media transport passageway segment.
14. A kit to convert a conventional electrophotographic copying or
printing system to an electrophotographic copying or printing
system that operates in a tightly integrated parallel printer mode
or a tightly integrated serial printer mode comprises a media
handling transport adapted to replace at least one media handling
device of the conventional electrophotographic copying or printing
system, the media handling transports comprising: an upper body
member having an inner surface extending from a first end portion
to a second end portion; a lower body member having an inner
surface extending from a first end portion to a second end portion;
a first side body member having an inner surface extending from a
upper end portion to a lower end portion, the upper end portion of
the first side body member being disposed adjacent the first end
portion of the upper body member and the lower end portion of the
first side body member being disposed adjacent the first end
portion of the lower body member; a second side body member having
an inner surface extending from a upper end portion to a lower end
portion, the upper end portion of the second side body member being
disposed adjacent the second end portion of the upper body member
and the lower end portion of the second side body member being
disposed adjacent the second end portion of the lower body member;
a first inner body member having a first guide surface extending
from a lower end portion to a first upper end portion, a second
guide surface extending from the lower end portion to a second
upper end portion, and a third guide surface extending from the
first upper end portion to the second upper end portion, the first
guide surface and the first side body member inner surface defining
a first media transport passageway segment, the second guide
surface and the second side body member inner surface defining a
second media transport passageway segment, and the third guide
surface and the upper body member inner surface defining a first
media transport passageway; a second inner body member having a
first guide surface extending from an upper end portion to a first
lower end portion, a second guide surface extending from the upper
end portion to a second lower end portion, and a third guide
surface extending from the first lower end portion to the second
lower end portion, the first guide surface and the first side body
member inner surface defining a third media transport passageway
segment, the second guide surface and the second side body member
inner surface defining a fourth media transport passageway segment,
and the third guide surface and the lower body member inner surface
defining a second media transport passageway; a first diverter
extending downwardly from a first end portion pivotally mounted
proximate to the first inner body member lower end portion to a
free end; a second diverter extending upwardly from a first end
portion pivotally mounted proximate to the second inner body member
upper end portion to a free end; wherein the free end portions of
the first and second diverters are independently selectively
movable between a first diverter position or a second diverter
position whereby a sheet of media may be directed from the first
media transport passageway segment to the third media transport
passageway segment, from the first media transport passageway
segment to the fourth media transport passageway segment, from the
third media transport passageway segment to the first media
transport passageway segment, from the third media transport
passageway segment to the second media transport passageway
segment, from the second media transport passageway segment to the
third media transport passageway segment, from the second media
transport passageway segment to the fourth media transport
passageway segment, from the fourth media transport passageway
segment to the first media transport passageway segment, or from
the fourth media transport passageway segment to the second media
transport passageway segment.
15. The kit of claim 14 wherein the media handling transport
further comprises: a first feed mechanism associated with the first
end portion of the upper body member and the upper end portion of
the first side body member; a second feed mechanism associated with
the second end portion of the upper body member and the upper end
portion of the second side body member; a third feed mechanism
associated with the first end portion of the lower body member and
the lower end portion of the first side body member; and a fourth
feed mechanism associated with the second end portion of the lower
body member and the lower end portion of the second side body
member.
16. The kit of claim 15 wherein the media handling transport
further comprises: a first drive mechanism associated with the
first media transport passageway; a second drive mechanism
associated with the second media transport passageway; a third
drive mechanism associated with the first media transport
passageway segment; a fourth drive mechanism associated with the
second media transport passageway segment; a fifth drive mechanism
associated with the third media transport passageway segment; and a
sixth drive mechanism associated with the fourth media transport
passageway segment.
17. The kit of claim 16 wherein the media handling transport
further comprises: a third diverter disposed intermediate the first
inner body member first upper end portion, the upper body member,
and the first side body member; a fourth diverter disposed
intermediate the first inner body member second upper end portion,
the upper body member, and the second side body member; a fifth
diverter disposed intermediate the second inner body member first
lower end portion, the lower body member, and the first side body
member; and a sixth diverter disposed intermediate the second inner
body member second lower end portion, the lower body member, and
the second side body member.
18. The kit of claim 14, wherein a one of the media handling
transports replaces each of the media handling devices of the
conventional electrophotographic copying or printing system.
19. The kit of claim 18 further comprising at least one nip
horizontal transport.
20. A method of converting a conventional electrophotographic
copying or printing system to an electrophotographic copying or
printing system that operates in a tightly integrated parallel
printer mode or a tightly integrated serial printer mode, the
conventional electrophotographic copying or printing system having
a plurality of media handling devices, the method comprising
replacing each of the media handling devices with a media handling
transport, the media handling transport including an upper body
member having an inner surface extending from a first end portion
to a second end portion; a lower body member having an inner
surface extending from a first end portion to a second end portion;
a first side body member having an inner surface extending from a
upper end portion to a lower end portion, the upper end portion of
the first side body member being disposed adjacent the first end
portion of the upper body member and the lower end portion of the
first side body member being disposed adjacent the first end
portion of the lower body member; a second side body member having
an inner surface extending from a upper end portion to a lower end
portion, the upper end portion of the second side body member being
disposed adjacent the second end portion of the upper body member
and the lower end portion of the second side body member being
disposed adjacent the second end portion of the lower body member;
a first inner body member having a first guide surface extending
from a lower end portion to a first upper end portion, a second
guide surface extending from the lower end portion to a second
upper end portion, and a third guide surface extending from the
first upper end portion to the second upper end portion, the first
guide surface and the first side body member inner surface defining
a first media transport passageway segment, the second guide
surface and the second side body member inner surface defining a
second media transport passageway segment, and the third guide
surface and the upper body member inner surface defining a first
media transport passageway; a second inner body member having a
first guide surface extending from an upper end portion to a first
lower end portion, a second guide surface extending from the upper
end portion to a second lower end portion, and a third guide
surface extending from the first lower end portion to the second
lower end portion, the first guide surface and the first side body
member inner surface defining a third media transport passageway
segment, the second guide surface and the second side body member
inner surface defining a fourth media transport passageway segment,
and the third guide surface and the lower body member inner surface
defining a second media transport passageway; a first diverter
extending downwardly from a first end portion pivotally mounted
proximate to the first inner body member lower end portion to a
free end; a second diverter extending upwardly from a first end
portion pivotally mounted proximate to the second inner body member
upper end portion to a free end; wherein the free end portions of
the first and second diverters are independently selectively
movable between a first diverter position or a second diverter
position whereby a sheet of media may be directed from the first
media transport passageway segment to the third media transport
passageway segment, from the first media transport passageway
segment to the fourth media transport passageway segment, from the
third media transport passageway segment to the first media
transport passageway segment, from the third media transport
passageway segment to the second media transport passageway
segment, from the second media transport passageway segment to the
third media transport passageway segment, from the second media
transport passageway segment to the fourth media transport
passageway segment, from the fourth media transport passageway
segment to the first media transport passageway segment, or from
the fourth media transport passageway segment to the second media
transport passageway segment.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the conventional
electrophotographic copying or printing system has first, second
and third media handling devices, the method further comprising
installing a lower media flow path and a first nip horizontal
transport between the second and third media handling
transports.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising replacing a sloping
duplex transport of the first media handling device with a second
nip horizontal transport.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a printing system. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to printing systems
having multiple print engines.
[0002] Printing systems adapted for use in high speed printing may
employ two print engines arranged in tandem to achieve the required
print speed. Each print engine prints on one side of the sheet. In
this way, duplex prints are formed rapidly and at a high
productivity. Each print engine may be an electrophotographic print
engine. These print engines are identical to one another and have a
photoconductive member that is charged to a substantial uniform
potential so as to sensitize the surface thereof. The charged
portion of the photoconductive member is exposed to a light image
of a document being printed. Exposure of the charged
photoconductive member effectively dissipates the charge thereon in
the irradiated areas to record an electrostatic latent image on the
photoconductive member corresponding to the informational areas
desired to be printed. After the electrostatic latent image is
recorded on the photoconductive member, the latent image is
developed by bringing a developer material into contact therewith.
Generally, the electrostatic latent image is developed with dry
developer material comprising carrier granules having toner
particles adhering triboelectrically thereto. However, a liquid
developer material may be used as well. The toner particles are
attracted to the latent image, forming a visible powder image on
the photoconductive surface. After the electrostatic latent image
is developed with the toner particles, the toner powder image is
transferred to a sheet. Thereafter, the toner powder image is
heated to permanently fuse it to the sheet.
[0003] After the toner powder image has been formed on one side of
the sheet, the sheet is advanced to the next print engine to have
information printed on the other side thereof. The sheet may be
inverted or the print engine may be oriented so as to print on the
opposed side of the sheet. In any event, both print engines are
substantially identical to one another and produce a sheet having
information on opposite sides thereof, i.e., a duplex sheet. This
is duplex printing. While electrophotographic print engines may be
utilized, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any other
type of print engines may also be used. For example, ink jet print
engines, or lithographic print engines may be used. Furthermore,
these print engines may be mixed and matched. Thus, the printing
system does not necessarily require only electrophotographic print
engines or only ink jet print engines or only lithographic print
engines, but rather may have an electrophotographic print engine
and an ink jet print engine, or any such combination.
[0004] Should either of the print engines become non-operative, the
entire print system becomes non-functional. Therefore, print engine
down time must be avoided in print shops conducting high volume
duplex printing of mission critical customer jobs. One method
practiced by print shops to avoid such down time has been to
install two printing systems, with one of the printing systems in
operation and the other printing system acting as a back-up. While
effective, this practice is quite expensive.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,246 discloses a printing system
including two print engines arranged in tandem. In this printing
system, one of the print engines can still be utilized if the other
print engines fails, by using the normal single engine duplexing
operation. While the disclosed apparatus and methodology provide a
cost effective solution, the printing system is dated and does not
meet all of the needs of more modern print shops.
SUMMARY
[0006] There is provided an electrophotographic printing machine
comprising at least one print engine, an input media path
delivering a print media to the print engine, an output media path
removing the print media from the print engine, and a media
handling transport disposed in at least one of the media paths. The
media handling transport comprises first and second device halves,
each including first, second and third body members, each having
first and second end portions. The first end portion of the second
body member is disposed adjacent the first end portion of the first
body member, the first end portion of the third body member is
disposed adjacent the second end portion of the first body member
and the second end portion of the third body member is disposed
adjacent the second end portion of the second body member. An inner
body member is disposed intermediate the first, second and third
outer body members. The inner body member and the second body
member define a first media transport passageway, the inner body
member and the third body member defining a second media transport
passageway, and the inner body member and the first body member
defining a third media transport passageway. The second end
portions of the second and third body members define an abutting
end of the device half. In an installed configuration, the abutting
end of the first device half is disposed adjacent the abutting end
of the second device half.
[0007] The first, second and third body members each have an inner
surface extending from the first end portion to the second end
portion, each of the inner surfaces defines a guide having a
substantially smooth uniform surface. The inner surfaces of the
second and third body members each have an arcuate shape to change
a direction of travel of a sheet of media substantially ninety
degrees. The inner surface of the first body member has a
substantially planar shape to maintain the direction of travel of a
sheet of media.
[0008] The inner body member has a first guide surface extending
from a lower end portion to a first upper end portion, a second
guide surface extending from the lower end portion to a second
upper end portion, and a third guide surface extending from the
first upper end portion to the second upper end portion. The first,
second and third guide surfaces are disposed opposite to the inner
surfaces of the first, second and third body members, respectively
and define the first, second and third media transport passageways
therebetween.
[0009] Each device half further includes a first feed mechanism
associated with the first end portion of the first body member and
the first end portion of the second body member and a second feed
mechanism associated with the second end portion of the first body
member and the first end portion of the third body member.
[0010] Each device half further includes a first drive mechanism
associated with the lower end portion of the inner body member and
the inner surface of the second body member, a second drive
mechanism associated with the lower end portion of the inner body
member and the inner surface of the third body member and a third
drive mechanism associated with the inner surface of the first body
member and the first guide surface of the inner body member.
[0011] Each device half further includes a first diverter extending
from a first end portion pivotally mounted proximate to the inner
body member lower end portion to a free end disposed adjacent the
abutting end of the device half, a second diverter extending from a
first end portion pivotally mounted proximate to the inner body
member first upper end portion to a free end disposed proximate to
the first feed mechanism, and a third diverter extending from a
first end portion pivotally mounted proximate to the inner body
member second upper end portion to a free end disposed proximate to
the second feed mechanism. Where the free end portion of each of
the diverters is selectively movable between a first diverter
position or a second diverter position by a positioning device.
[0012] There is also provided a kit to convert a conventional
electrophotographic copying or printing system to an
electrophotographic copying or printing system that operates in a
tightly integrated parallel printer mode or a tightly integrated
serial printer mode. The kit comprises a media handling transport
adapted to replace at least one media handling device of the
conventional electrophotographic copying or printing system. The
media handling transports comprise an upper body member having an
inner surface extending from a first end portion to a second end
portion. A lower body member has an inner surface extending from a
first end portion to a second end portion. A first side body member
has an inner surface extending from a upper end portion to a lower
end portion. The upper end portion of the first side body member is
disposed adjacent the first end portion of the upper body member
and the lower end portion of the first side body member is disposed
adjacent the first end portion of the lower body member. A second
side body member has an inner surface extending from a upper end
portion to a lower end portion. The upper end portion of the second
side body member is disposed adjacent the second end portion of the
upper body member and the lower end portion of the second side body
member is disposed adjacent the second end portion of the lower
body member. A first inner body member has a first guide surface
extending from a lower end portion to a first upper end portion, a
second guide surface extends from the lower end portion to a second
upper end portion, and a third guide surface extends from the first
upper end portion to the second upper end portion. The first guide
surface and the first side body member inner surface define a first
media transport passageway segment. The second guide surface and
the second side body member inner surface define a second media
transport passageway segment. The third guide surface and the upper
body member inner surface define a first media transport
passageway. A second inner body member has a first guide surface
extending from an upper end portion to a first lower end portion, a
second guide surface extending from the upper end portion to a
second lower end portion, and a third guide surface extending from
the first lower end portion to the second lower end portion. The
first guide surface and the first side body member inner surface
define a third media transport passageway segment. The second guide
surface and the second side body member inner surface define a
fourth media transport passageway segment. The third guide surface
and the lower body member inner surface define a second media
transport passageway. A first diverter extends downwardly from a
first end portion pivotally mounted proximate to the first inner
body member lower end portion to a free end. A second diverter
extends upwardly from a first end portion pivotally mounted
proximate to the second inner body member upper end portion to a
free end. The free end portions of the first and second diverters
are independently selectively movable between a first diverter
position or a second diverter position whereby a sheet of media may
be directed from the first media transport passageway segment to
the third media transport passageway segment, from the first media
transport passageway segment to the fourth media transport
passageway segment, from the third media transport passageway
segment to the first media transport passageway segment, from the
third media transport passageway segment to the second media
transport passageway segment, from the second media transport
passageway segment to the third media transport passageway segment,
from the second media transport passageway segment to the fourth
media transport passageway segment, from the fourth media transport
passageway segment to the first media transport passageway segment,
or from the fourth media transport passageway segment to the second
media transport passageway segment.
[0013] There is further provided a method of converting a
conventional electrophotographic copying or printing system to an
electrophotographic copying or printing system that operates in a
tightly integrated parallel printer mode or a tightly integrated
serial printer mode. The method comprises replacing each of the
media handling devices of the conventional electrophotographic
copying or printing system with a media handling transport.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present disclosure may be better understood and its
numerous objects and advantages will become apparent to those
skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic view of a conventional
printing machine;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of Area A of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of Area B of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a media transport device half
according to the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a media handling transport
operating in a first configuration;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a media handling transport
operating in a second configuration;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a media handling transport
operating in a third configuration;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a media handling transport
operating in a fourth configuration;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a media handling transport
operating in a fifth configuration;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a simplified schematic view of a printing machine
having the media handling transport device of FIG. 5.
[0025] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of Area C of FIG. 10;
[0026] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of Area D of FIG. 10; and
[0027] FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c are schematic views of a pair of the
printing machines of FIG. 10 arranged in tandem, showing the
printing machines in three modes of operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals
represent like parts throughout the several figures, a tightly
integrated serial hybrid printing system in accordance with the
present disclosure is generally designated by the numeral 10.
[0029] In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown, a conventional
electrophotographic copying or printing system 10 for processing,
printing and finishing print jobs. One example of the illustrated
electrophotographic copying system 10 is the well known Xerox
Corporation model iGen3.TM. duplicator. The exemplary copying
system 10 includes three media handling devices that are operated
by a system controller to direct sheet material on the proper paper
path for any given operation of the system 10. The first media
handler (registration input and duplex inverter media handling
transports) receives new sheet material from a simplex path, and
partially processed sheet material from a duplex return paper path.
The first media handler either directs the sheet material to the
image path or to the bypass path. Sheet material traveling in the
bypass path is transported directly through the second media
handler (duplex upper and lower turn media handling transports) to
the third media handler (output inverter), which then directs the
sheet material out of the printing system through the bypass exit.
Sheet material traveling in the image path has a first side
processed by the image module. The second media handler then either
directs the sheet material back to the first media handler, via the
duplex return paper path, or to the third media handler, via a
transport path. If the sheet material has been fully processed, the
third media handler directs the sheet material out of the copying
system 10 via an output path. If the second side of the sheet
material must be processed, the third media handler directs the
sheet material back to the first media handler via the bypass path,
thereby inverting the sheet material. While such
electrophotographic copying systems 10 are versatile and in wide
use, their functionality is limited in that they cannot function in
a tandem mode of operation.
[0030] A media handling transport 110 in accordance with the
present disclosure comprises two, substantially identical, device
halves 112, 112'. As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the device halve 112, 112'
are mounted together with the abutting end 114 of a first device
half 112 disposed adjacent the abutting end 114 of a second device
half 112'. As shown in FIG. 4, each device half 112, 112' includes
three outer body members (first and second side body members 116,
118 and upper/lower body member 120), and an inner body member 122.
To facilitate discussion, the device half 112, 112' will be
discussed in the orientation shown in FIG. 4, although it should be
understood that the media handling transport 110 may be installed
in any orientation.
[0031] The first and second side body members 116, 118 are
substantially identical and are made of any suitable, durable
material. Each side body member 116, 118 has an inner surface 124,
126, extending from a lower or abutting end portion 128, 130 to an
upper end portion 132, 134, that forms a guide having a smooth
uniform surface such that a leading edge of a sheet is not stubbed
or caught by a portion of the inner surface 124, 126. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, inner surfaces 124, 126 have an arcuate
shape optimized to change the direction of travel of a sheet ninety
degrees. The upper/lower body member 120 has an inner surface 136,
extending horizontally from a first end portion 138 associated with
the upper end portion 132 of the first side body member 116 to a
second end portion 140 associated with the upper end portion 134 of
the second side body member 118. Inner surface 136 also forms a
guide having a smooth uniform surface such that a leading edge of a
sheet is not stubbed or caught by a portion of the inner surface
136. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, inner surface 136 has a
substantially horizontal shape optimized to maintain the direction
of travel of a sheet. The inner body member 122 has a first guide
surface 142 extending from a lower end portion 144 to a first upper
end portion 146, a second guide surface 148 extending from the
lower end portion 144 to a second upper end portion 150, and a
third guide surface 152 extending horizontally from the first upper
end portion 146 to the second upper end portion 150. The first,
second and third guide surfaces 142, 148, 152 each have a smooth
uniform surface such that a leading edge of a sheet is not stubbed
or caught by a portion of the guide surface. The first, second and
third guide surfaces 142, 148, 152 are disposed opposite to inner
surface 124, inner surface 126 and inner surface 136, respectively,
have shapes complementary thereto, and define first, second and
third paper transport passageways 149, 151, 153 therebetween.
[0032] Each device half 112, 112' includes a first feed mechanism
154, associated with the upper end portion 132 of the first side
body member 116 and the first end portion 138 of the upper/lower
body member 120, and a second feed mechanism 156, associated with
the upper end portion 134 of the second side body member 118 and
the second end portion 140 of the upper/lower body member 120. The
feed mechanisms 154, 156 may take the form of any feed mechanism
capable of advancing the sheet. For example, the feed mechanism
154, 156 may be in the form of a drive roll 158 rotated by a motor
160 and a driven roll 162. The sheet is drawn in the direction of
travel at a nip 164 between the drive roll 158 and the driven roll
162. The drive roll 158 and driven roll 162 may be rotatably
mounted in the upper end portion 132, 134 of the side body member
116, 118 and the end portion 138, 140 of the upper/lower body
member 120, respectively (as shown in FIG. 4). Alternatively, the
drive roll 158 and driven roll 162 may be rotatably mounted in the
end portion 138, 140 of the upper/lower body member 120 and the
upper end portion 132, 134 of the side body member 116, 118,
respectively.
[0033] Each device half 112, 112' also includes a first drive
mechanism 166, associated with the lower end portion 144 of the
inner body member 122 and inner surface 124, a second drive
mechanism 168, associated with the lower end portion 144 of the
inner body member 122 and inner surface 126, and a third drive
mechanism 170, associated with inner surface 136 and guide surface
152. The drive mechanisms 166, 168. 170 may take the form of any
drive mechanism capable of advancing the sheet. For example, the
drive mechanism 166, 168. 170 may be in the form of a drive roll
172 rotated by a motor 160 and a driven roll 174. The sheet is
drawn in the direction of travel at a nip between the drive roll
172 and the driven roll 174. The drive roll 172 and driven roll 174
may be rotatably mounted in the side body member 116, 118 and the
lower end portion 144 of the inner body member 122, respectively
(as shown in FIG. 4). Alternatively, the drive roll 172 and driven
roll 174 may be rotatably mounted in the lower end portion 144 of
the inner body member 122 and the side body member 116, 118,
respectively. The distance D between either feed mechanism 154, 156
and a drive mechanism 166, 168, 170 is dictated by the minimum
length of the media that will be utilized in the copying system 10.
Drive motors 160 connected to the drive mechanisms 166, 168, 170
and feed mechanisms 154, 156 are controlled to advance, retract, or
hold a sheet of media as directed by the controller. The controller
may also control the speed of the drive motors 160.
[0034] Each device half 112, 112' further includes three diverters
176, 178, 180 for selectively directing the sheets as they pass
through the media handling transport 110. Each diverter 176, 178,
180 may have any suitable configuration capable of selectively
directing the sheet. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4-9, the
diverters 176, 178, 180 are in the form of pivotable levers that
are positively and selectively positioned in either a first
diverter position or a second diverter position by a series of
solenoids, cams and/or other positioning devices. The first
diverter 176 is positioned below the lower end portion 144 of the
inner body member 122, between the first and second side body
members 116, 118. The first diverter 176 extends from a first end
portion 182, pivotally mounted proximate to the lower end portion
144 of the inner body member 122, to a free end 184 disposed
adjacent the abutting end 114 of the device half 112, 112'. The
second diverter 178 extends from a first end portion 186, pivotally
mounted proximate to the inner body member 122 first upper end
portion 146, to a free end 188 disposed proximate to the first feed
mechanism 154. The third diverter 180 extends from a first end
portion 190, pivotally mounted proximate to the inner body member
122 second upper end portion 150, to a free end 192 disposed
proximate to the second feed mechanism 156.
[0035] As described above, the media handling transport 110 is
formed by mounting two device halves 112, 112' together, with the
abutting end 114 of a first device half 112 disposed adjacent the
abutting end 114 of a second device half 112' and the second device
112' half being a "mirror image" of the first device half 112. The
lower end portions 128, 130 of the side body members 116, 118 are
pivotally mounted to facilitate access to the passageways between
the side body member 116, 118 and the inner body member 122 in the
event of a paper jam.
[0036] The direction of sheet transport through an
electrophotographic copying system 10 is easily controlled by the
positioning of the three diverters 176, 178, 180 of each device
half 112, 112' of the media handling transport 110. Baffles 194 are
positioned adjacent the first and second feed mechanisms 154, 156,
forming a chute at the entrance/exit of each device half 112, 112'.
The baffles 194 are mounted in a manner that allows for modularity
to facilitate multi-use within a printer racetrack. The entry or
exit angle defined by the baffles depends on the amount of media
curl allowed by specification.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates the positioning of the diverters 178, 180
when the media handling transport 110 is operating in a first
configuration. In this configuration, the second and third
diverters 178, 180 of either the first device half 112 or the
second device half 112' are in the second diverter position.
Positioning the diverters 178, 180 in this manner creates an
straight-through flow path through the media handling transport
110, where paper entering the first device half 112 passes through
the media handling transport 110 on the upper flow path 196, and
paper entering the second device half 112 passes through the media
handling transport 110 on the lower media flow path 198.
[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates the positioning of the diverters 176,
178, 180 when the media handling transport 110 is operating in a
second configuration. In this configuration, the first diverter 176
of the first device half 112 is in the first diverter position
(free end 184 positioned adjacent the second side body member inner
surface 126, solid line FIG. 4) and the second diverter 178 of the
first device half 112 is in the first diverter position (free end
188 positioned adjacent the upper/lower body member inner surface
136, solid line FIG. 4). In the mirror image second device half
112', the first diverter 176 is in the second diverter position
(free end 184 positioned adjacent the first side body member inner
surface 124, dotted line FIG. 4) and the third diverter 180 in the
first diverter position (free end 192 positioned adjacent the
upper/lower body member inner surface 136, solid line FIG. 4). As
shown in FIG. 6, positioning the diverters 176, 178, 180 in this
manner creates an S-shaped flow path through the media handling
transport 110 that shifts sheet flow between an upper media flow
path 196 and a lower media flow path 198. The positions of the
third diverter 180 of the first device half 112 and the second
diverter 178 of the second device half 112' are irrelevant, since
neither diverter are in the media flow path.
[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates the positioning of the diverters when the
media handling transport is operating in a third configuration. In
this configuration, the third diverter 180 of the first device half
112 is in the second diverter position, the second diverter 178 of
the second device half 112' is in the first diverter position, the
first diverter 176 of the first device half 112 is in the second
diverter position, and the first diverter 176 of the second device
half 112' is in the first diverter position. Positioning the
diverters 176, 178, 180 in this manner creates an S-shaped flow
path through the media handling transport 110 that shifts sheet
flow between an upper media flow path 196 and a lower media flow
path 198.
[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates the positioning of the diverters when the
media handling transport 110 is operating in a fourth
configuration. In this configuration, the second diverters 178 of
both the first and second device halves 112, 112' are in the first
diverter position, the first diverter 176 of the first device half
112 is in the first diverter position, and the first diverter 176
of the second device half 112' is in the second diverter position.
Positioning the diverters 176, 178 in this manner creates a
C-shaped flow path through the media handling transport 110 that
reverses the direction of the media flow path and inverts the
media.
[0041] FIG. 9 illustrates the positioning of the diverters when the
media handling transport 110 is operating in a fifth configuration.
In this configuration, the first diverters 176 of both the first
and second device halves 112, 112' are in the second diverter
position and the third diverters 180 of both the first and second
device halves 112, 112' are in the first position. Positioning the
diverters 176, 180 in this manner creates a C-shaped flow path
through the media handling transport 110 that reverses the
direction of the media flow path and inverts the media.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the iGen3.TM. copying
system can be easily converted to operate in both a tightly
integrated parallel printer (TIPP) and tightly integrated serial
printer (TISP) mode by modifying the duplex return paper path as a
bi-directional paper path. Converting the duplex return paper path
to a bi-direction paper path requires replacing the first, second
and third media handling devices with first, second and third media
handling transports 110. In addition, one nip horizontal transport
must be added between the second and third media handling
transports 110, 110', 110'' and another nip horizontal transport
replaces the sloping duplex transport of the first media handling
device.
[0043] As described above, each media handling transport 110 has
five modes of operation. Accordingly, replacing the three handling
devices utilized in the conventional iGen3.TM. copying system with
three media handling transports 110, 110', 110'' produces a copying
system that has great flexibility of operation. This flexibility of
operation is further increased when two copying systems are
installed in tandem, as shown in FIGS. 13a-13c.
[0044] FIG. 13a shows the two copying systems operating in a Duplex
Tandem mode of operation. In this mode of operation, the first
media handling transport 110 of the first copying system is set to
either the first configuration (FIG. 5), to receive sheet material
from an upper tray of a sheet material supply device, or in the
third configuration (FIG. 7) to receive sheet material from a lower
tray of the sheet material supply device. In either configuration,
the sheet material is directed to the upper media flow path 196.
The second media handling transport 110' of the first copying
system is set to operate in the first configuration (FIG. 5) to
either direct sheet material to the third media handling device
110'' in the upper media flow path 196 or to the first media
handling transport 110 in the lower media flow path 198. The third
media handling transport 110'' of the first copying system is set
to operate in either the first configuration (FIG. 5), directing
the sheet material along the upper media flow path 196 to the first
media handling transport 110 of the second copying system, or the
fourth configuration (FIG. 8), directing the sheet material back to
the second media handling transport 110' along the lower media flow
path 198. The first and second media handling transports 110, 110'
of the second copying system are each operated in the first
configuration (FIG. 5), directing sheet material along the upper
media flow path 196 to the third media handling transport 110''.
The third media handling transport 110'' of the second copying
system is operated in either the first configuration (FIG. 5) to
direct the sheet material out of the second copying system along
the upper media flow path 196, or in the second configuration (FIG.
6) to direct the sheet material out of the second copying system
along the lower media flow path 198.
[0045] FIG. 13b shows the two copying systems operating in a Duplex
Standalone mode of operation. In this mode of operation, the first
media handling transport 110 of the first copying system is
initially set to the first configuration (FIG. 5), to receive sheet
material from an upper tray of the sheet material supply device and
direct the sheet material to the second media handling transport
110' along the upper media flow path 196. The second media handling
transport 110' of the first copying system is set to operate in the
fourth configuration (FIG. 8), directing the sheet material back to
the first media handling transport 110' along the lower media flow
path 198. The first media handling transport 110 is reset to the
fifth configuration (FIG. 9) directing the sheet material to the
second media handling transport 110' along the upper media flow
path 196.
[0046] FIG. 13c shows the two copying systems operating in a
Simplex Bypass mode of operation. In this mode of operation, the
first media handling transport 110 of the first copying system is
set to either the first configuration (FIG. 5), to receive sheet
material from a lower tray of the sheet material supply device, or
in the second configuration (FIG. 6) to receive sheet material from
an upper tray of the sheet material supply device. In either
configuration, the sheet material is directed to the lower media
flow path 198. The second media handling transport 110' of the
first copying system is set to operate in the first configuration
(FIG. 5) to direct sheet material along the lower media flow path
198 to the third media handling transport 110''. The third media
handling transport 110'' of the first copying system is operated in
the third configuration (FIG. 7) to direct the sheet material from
the lower media flow path 198 to the upper media flow path 196 and
out of the first copying system. The first media handling transport
110 of the second copying system is set to the first configuration
(FIG. 5), to receive sheet material from the first copying system
and direct the sheet material along the upper media flow path 196
to the second media handling transport 110'. The second media
handling transport 110' of the second copying system is set to
operate in the first configuration (FIG. 5) to direct sheet
material along the upper media flow path 196 to the third media
handling transport 110''. The third media handling transport 110''
of the second copying system is operated in either the first
configuration (FIG. 5) to direct the sheet material out of the
second copying system along the upper media flow path 196, or in
the second configuration (FIG. 6) to direct the sheet material out
of the second copying system along the lower media flow path
198.
[0047] The media handling transports 110 are sized to fit within
the free space left within the copying system after the media
handling devices are removed. It should be understood that the
operating software of the copying system controller must be
modified to control the media handling transports 110.
[0048] It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
desirably combined into many other different systems or
applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
* * * * *